Virolahti

The central town of the municipality is Virolahti. However Virolahti is probably best known for the border crossing to Russia at Vaalimaa. The area around Vaalimaa has a disproportionate number of shopping malls and stores (some of them defunct) for such a small municipality. They Russian tourists who came for shopping trips before the invasion of Ukraine practically closed the border.

Tourist information

By Car / Road

Motorway 7 (E18) from Helsinki via Porvoo, Kotka and Hamina passes through Virolahti and goes to the Vaalimaa border station. From Russia, A-181 (also E18) goes from St. Petersburg to Vyborg and on to Torfyanovka. Regional road 387 comes in from Lappeenranta.

By Plane

The nearest airports are Helsinki-Vantaa and Lappeenranta. From Helsinki, you can take a bus or drive along the E18.

By Train

Visa restrictions: In response to Russia's war in Ukraine, Russian tourists are banned from entering Finland.

(Information last updated Jan 2023)

The nearest railway stations are in Kouvola and Kotka, from which you can take a bus onward to Virolahti.

The town centre of Virolahti is compact and walkable. Local buses connect the main districts and nearby attractions. Taxis are available from the train station.

Virolahti Bunker Museum — located along the E18 road, June–August daily 10:00–18:00. The exhibition is inside a wooden building built to resemble war-period style. The outdoor area includes fortification sites in the forest with a nearby fireplace. Adults €5, children €2.

Salpa Trail — a 50-km one-way hiking route between Virolahti and Miehikkälä following the Finnish WWII defence line. Along the route there are remains of bunkers, dug-outs and other fortifications with rest stops equipped with compost toilets, fireplaces and lean-to shelters.

There are small restaurants and cafés in the municipality centre and near the Vaalimaa border area. For more options, Hamina and Kotka are a short drive away.

Virolahti has a few local pubs. For a wider selection, visit Hamina or Kotka.

There are campsites and cottages.

Basic grocery shopping is available in the village of Virolahti. The Vaalimaa border area has several shopping centres, though many have reduced hours since the border closure.

• Hamina — historic fortress town to the west
• Miehikkälä — adjacent municipality with the Salpa Line museum
• Kotka — port city with museums and parks
• Vyborg (Russia) — across the border (visa required)